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Post by Jedigirl on May 31, 2013 13:39:43 GMT
Hi everyone
I've been doing a lot of research here and all over and the more I read the more confused I get since there is so much contradicting info out there.
What I'm looking for is an affordable battle ready katana. Not a dojo cutter or even a traditionally made katana. If it all hit the fan and it was everyone for themselves which katana would hold up in combat?
The obvious answer would be to spend thousands on the best traditionally made sword but alas...I currently mop floors for a living. lol. I have done some tsuka ito wraps and have no problem in the DIY department but the blade is a whole other thing....since I prefer black stingray and brown ito, I'll probably have to redo/DIY it.
I've heard conflicting opinions about differentially hardened which to me makes no sense because it should be the way to go. Maybe this differs for spring steel?
I'd prefer a bo hi, real hamon and preferably a shorter length blade. With the newer steels available it makes me wonder if laminated blades are worth it for me. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
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Marc
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,229
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Post by Marc on May 31, 2013 14:05:24 GMT
Hi Jedigirl and welcome. The first thing you will be asked is what price range you are looking for. There is a lot of offering these days and this simple question will help suggesting you something you can afford.
For exemple, I have 2 katana in mind that have brown Ito on black same, but both are on the 1000$ tag.
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Post by hussar on May 31, 2013 14:16:05 GMT
welcome to the forum as for you're question I suggest you see the following brands: www.roninkatana.com/hsts.weebly.com/www.ebay.com.au/sch/huawei-sword/m.htmlwww.sinosword.com/they all have good reps here that last one dose semi customs only and can cock up your order a little but that doesn't happen that much if you are very clear with what you want and if they do make a mistake it tends to be small Dh gets sharper and looks pretty but bends worse when you cock up TH can't have a real hammon (as real hammon is caused by the dh process) but is more durable and cheaper for bargain basement laminated is a no go laminated blades are mostly for tradition and looks and add almost nothing to performance if made with modern steel if you do go semi custom stick to T-10 tool steel as it is cheap strong and makes hammons look great edit you could also get a hanwei tactical katana/wakizashi:http://www.cashanwei.com/category/tactical-wakizashi-katana/4115 |
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Post by aussie-rabbit on May 31, 2013 14:22:10 GMT
I'll chime in, I'm my humble opinion a DH Kaze is the way to go, you get 9260 silicon spring steel and differentially hardened blade.  There have been issues with tsuka and the cotton ito is nothing to write home about, the blades however are really tough. If you buy through the SBG store your more likely to get a good one. I have many swords, both old and new, if I had to take one into battle it would be the Kaze. |
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Post by Valandur on May 31, 2013 14:25:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum! Without knowing a bit more about what you want to spend, this sword really impressed me. (Its review did anyway). For less then $250 it seems like a LOT of blade for the money. Plus, being shorter, it fits today's houses and apartments better as chances are if you ever had to use it, it would be inside your house. www.sword-buyers-guide.com/authe ... sword.html I was actually so drawn to the design I ordered a similar sword. All the steel types and forging processes are pretty confusing. I try and keep in mind that a master can make a masterpiece from a lump of pig iron while a novice can turn a beautiful bar of Damascus info a lump of crap! Just meaning that I trust reviews and people's personal experience more then the hype you'll find on web sites. That being said, I do try to look for swords made with better steel, many types of spring steel and 1095 make really nice blades. I would check out some reviews through the link above, and see if something catches your eye. Often you can find what your looking for being sold by someone here. There are plenty of sub $300 swords to be had that would suit your needs. Here's another sword that you might consider - hsts.weebly.com/rk-series-ultra- ... atana.html I "think" these are in the mid $200 range, although I could be wrong. I recently learned that although they show as sold out, you can contact the owner via his account here on the forums memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2659 for quotes and special prices. |
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Post by aussie-rabbit on May 31, 2013 14:57:52 GMT
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Post by Judosailor on May 31, 2013 16:26:07 GMT
If you are looking for something under $100, I have had great luck with a couple of Ten Ryu swords. I owned a Masakage Katana (which you can pick up for 60-70 plus shipping), and found it to be a great beater sword. Through hardened, but with some cool cosmetic features. I also own a TR-004 musashi which is DH and retails for about 120. Masakage  TR-004 Musashi  |
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Post by Jedigirl on May 31, 2013 17:39:28 GMT
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Post by Valandur on May 31, 2013 17:56:56 GMT
There are a few dealers on Ebay that have good reputations here. I'm not familiar with who's good and who's not. I would be hesitant to order any blades off of Ebay though. Just from a customer service perspective if nothing else. Perhaps some members can shed insight on who the good vendors are. If it were me though, I would find something you like, then locate it on a trusted vendors web site to buy it. You stand a better chance of problems being caught before you receive the sword. Plus if there is a problem, its easier to return it for a replacement with a company then with an individual seller. I've got a "Damascus" steel sword. This one actually - www.swordsoftheeast.com/tenryuha ... sword.aspx . Honestly I'm hesitant to cut with it, not knowing what it's made with steel wise. I even wrote the company asking them and haven't received a reply.  if I had it to do over again, I would have gone with 1095 or 9260, or one of the other spring steel blades. |
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Post by Jedigirl on May 31, 2013 18:08:19 GMT
So true! I completely agree.
I would think your sword might be powder coated or annodized since I'm unaware of another way to darken or pigment a sword.
I'm looking further into swordmaker668 because I just love the fitting and they have some good reviews but also mixed. It seems to me if I ask him about the sword I can avoid disappointment since he sounds to be good with correspondence.
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Post by Valandur on May 31, 2013 18:57:27 GMT
I'm thinking its been "blued" as you would blue a gun. The finish seems really similar and has a couple of rub marks on some high spots on the blade, just like my guns do when continually rubbing against the holster. That's fine, I don't expect the color to stay there through use really. I just wonder at the strength of the blade even though its a wide tough seeming blade. This guy has a good reputation, that I've seen, and his swords look really well put together. Check out these.. www.thesamuraiworkshop.com/EN/ca ... egory_id=2 |
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Post by kasim18 on May 31, 2013 19:15:30 GMT
If you want a hamon, go with the Kaze
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Post by adamthedrummer on May 31, 2013 19:33:59 GMT
Correct me if I'm wrong but did you say you wanted a shorter length blade??? Like a kokat?? Or a 26 inch katana type short? This will limit your selection unfortunately...plenty of great sub$300 katana available but not many kokats...the rk2 from hsts is $380-$400 not $200... the 1095 budget beaters are $250 but if you can snag one from cottontail customs. :-) Here is my 1095 beater. Attachments:
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Post by adamthedrummer on May 31, 2013 19:36:52 GMT
Here is the tsuka ito with hishigami...very well done..and there is several ito options available. I will add that these are spring tempered and differentially hardened...super tough with beautiful blades...Cottontail customs has a few pics of one on his main site...brown ito and black same. Attachments:
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Post by Valandur on May 31, 2013 19:39:59 GMT
Oops my bad on the HSTS pricing. Sorry about that.
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Post by Valandur on May 31, 2013 19:44:25 GMT
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Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
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Post by Greg on May 31, 2013 20:55:41 GMT
I personally own a Sub 100$ Musashi through hardened, and I LOVE that blade (and I'm mainly a western blades guy)
It's tough, holds an edge, super maneuverable, but still has enough blade presence to do some damage.
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Post by Jedigirl on Jun 1, 2013 2:14:20 GMT
My bad...it`s swordsmith668 and which is supposed to be the same seller as swordmaker688. I read over these reviews... /thread/35017Oh yeah! the gun blackening process like birchwood casey products IIRC. I`ve used their aluminum black before. I did find the reveiws section with roughly 5 detailed reviews but hadn`t thought to do a search like that. Nice! I prefer shorter blades (ninjato proportions) but unless you can afford it, it seems there`s always going to be some compromise for what I want. I looked at the musashi line at several sites and most of the ones I like are over 100 and most of them not in stock. Actually out of stock seems very common for these swords. |
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Post by adamthedrummer on Jun 1, 2013 2:55:50 GMT
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Post by Valandur on Jun 1, 2013 4:55:01 GMT
Beater? Man that's a Nice sword! Really like the details, its a nice custom job. Way worth the money.
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if I had it to do over again, I would have gone with 1095 or 9260, or one of the other spring steel blades.
